Maxi Hughes admits he feared the worst when waiting for the scores to be read out after his fight with James Fryers in the Europa Hotel on Saturday night.

The English fighter was confident he had done enough to claim victory in the British title eliminator but was nervous his hand wasn’t going to be raised.

Doubts regarding a ‘home town decision’ weighed heavy on the lightweight’s mind between the final bell and the when the scores were finally read out.

“I was confident at first of getting the decision and then they were taking forever to announce it and I thought they’re fixing this.

“When they gave it a split I can understand because I’m away from home, but me and my team thought we’d won it. I don’t now what that other judge was seeing.”

The slick Hughes was eventual 97-93 and 96-94, 93-98 split decision winner and claims experience played a part.
“I’m happy to win. I didn’t think he’d be as fit because he’s only had foreign pushovers and he’s only done six rounds but I could gauge what he was going to do.

“I was a bit loose at times but we all make mistakes.

“He was a good fighter who kept coming and kept trying but I just had that edge. The experience showed tonight,” he added.